Derek R. McDonald
About Derek R. McDonald
Derek R. McDonald is a lawyer based in Austin, TX and has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2006. Derek R. McDonald is recognized in the following practice areas:
- Austin, Texas
- Environmental Law
- Litigation - Environmental
- Natural Resources Law
Current Firm: Baker Botts LLP
Education: The University of Texas, J.D., graduated 1993
Location: Austin, TX
It takes just a few minutes to optimize your profile for clients looking to engage and lawyers who are ready to refer.
Activate your profile and highlight why your peers recognized in Best Lawyers today.
Nearby Lawyers
Andrew Weber, who previously served as Texas First Assistant Attorney General under now-Governor Greg Abbott, is currently a partner at Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP. At the firm, he heads the Austin office and Co-Chairs the Public Law practice group, which provides legal guidance to clients on matters at the intersection of law, policy, and politics before state agencies and the Legislature. Governor Abbott, when he was the Texas Attorney General, appointed Mr. Weber as his First Assistant in...
James E. Mann is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Regulatory Law and Oil and Gas Law. James E., who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Trent Krienke is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health Care Law. Trent, who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Trent is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Ms. Hunt is a Partner of Osborne, Helman, Scott, Knisely & Stanton, LLP. She focuses her practice in the area of fiduciary litigation, primarily involving trusts, estates, family limited partnerships, powers of attorney, community property and financial account disputes. Ms. Hunt currently serves as a Board Member for the Texas Real Estate & Probate Institute (“T-REP”), and is Chair of Estate and Trust Legislative Affairs for TREP, where she participates in the development...
As a seasoned litigator, Mitchell Chaney's practice focuses on civil and commercial litigation. His career, spanning over 30 years, includes trying cases on both the federal and state level for leading manufacturers of automotive products, ATVs, firearms and other product liability cases in South Texas. Additionally, Mitchell has tried railroad crossing cases as well as legal malpractice cases on the defense side. Before joining McGinnis Lochridge he was a partner in his own firm in Brownsvil...
Melanie Plowman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice. Melanie, who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Melanie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Christopher R. Cowan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Christopher R., who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Janis Clements is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Patent. Janis, who practices law in Austin, Texas, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Janis is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Kevin K. Bonner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Construction. Kevin K., who practices law in Temple, Texas, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kevin K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
David R. Keyes represents companies and financial institutions with respect to loans and deposits, structured finance and securitization, project finance, sales of financial assets, energy transactions, check clearing and bank payments systems, letters of credit, bankers acceptances, loan workouts, lender liability, bank insolvencies and related acquisitions, reorganizations and conveyances, and in financial and commercial transactions in the energy, financial institutions, and technology ind...
Explore and Learn
Recognizing Legal Leaders: The 2027 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan and Singapore
by Jamilla Tabbara
Market drivers, diversity trends and the elite practitioners shaping the legal landscape.
Holiday Pay Explained: Federal Rules and Employer Policies
by Bryan Driscoll
Understand how paid holidays work, when employers must follow their policies and when legal guidance may be necessary.
Can a Green Card Be Revoked?
by Bryan Driscoll
Revocation requires a legal basis, notice and the chance to respond before status can be taken away.
How Far Back Can the IRS Audit You?
by Bryan Driscoll
Clear answers on IRS statutes of limitations, recordkeeping and what to do if you are under review.
Musk v. Altman: The Lawyers Behind the Case
by Jamilla Tabbara
Meet the Trial Lawyers Shaping One of AI's Biggest Legal Disputes.
Can You File Bankruptcy on Credit Cards
by Bryan Driscoll
Understanding your options for relief from overwhelming debt.
US Tariff Uncertainty Throws Canada Into Legal Purgatory
by Bryan Driscoll
The message is clear: There is no returning to pre-2025 normalcy.
The Legal Teams Behind the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni Settlement
by Grace Greer
A closer look at the legal teams and attorneys involved in the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni litigation and its resolution.
How AI Is Changing the Way Clients Find Lawyers
by Jamilla Tabbara
Best Lawyers CEO Phil Greer explains how AI-driven search tools are reshaping legal marketing and why credibility markers matter.